Shoe machine



Man-@h 1U, w36., L, E. TOPI-IAM SHOE MACHINE 1o sheets-sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1934 'lv I I l I l l lll'lll IIA M A H P O T E. l..

SHOE MACHINE l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July s, 1934 M A H P O T E. L.

SHOE MACHINE Filed July 3, 1%4 lO Sheets-Sheet 4 M mm @m TM E Em .s L

March 10, 193.,

Filed July 3, 1954 10 SheebS-Sheet 5 @Wh l l.. E. Tom-IAM SHOE MACHINE Filed July 3, 1934 lO Sheets-Sheet 6 SHOE MACHINE Filed July 3, 1954 lO Sheets-Sheet 7 O @QNA March 10, 1936. L. E. TOPI-AM SHOE MACHINE Filed July 5, 1954 lO Sheets-Sheet 8 L. E. TOPHAM SHOE MACHINE March 10, 1936,

l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 3, 1954 l L. E. TOPHAM SHOE MACHINE Filed July 3, 1934 lO Sheets-Sheet l0 Patented Mar. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOE MACHINE Application July 3, 1934, Serial No. 733,588

27 Claims.

The present invention relates primarily to improvements in shoe machines of the automatic type such, for example, as disclosed in U. S. patents to the present inventor Nos. 1,616,710 and 1,753,452, in which the shoe and the means for. operating on the shoe are moved relatively to transfer the point of operation along the shoe with a linear feeding movement and the relative positions of the shoe and the operating means are Simultaneously changed in other respects so that the shoe may be presented properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe.

In machines of the type particularly referred to, the shoe is supported on a movable jack and the operating means are provided with feeding devices acting directly on the shoe. To present the shoe properly to the operating means as the shoe is fed, the position of the jack is changed progressively by a pattern cam shaft driven one complete rotation for each shoe operated upon. In order that the cam shaft may be rotated at the proper speed relative to the speed at which the shoe is fed, the cam shaft is driven by the operating means through changeable speed gearmg.

In an automatic shoe machine, changes of relative speed betwen the operating means and the pattern cam shaft are necessary to meet with 30. two requirements; namely, change in shoe size and change in rate of feed. With changes in either shoe size or rate of feed, the cam shaft must be turned at a higher or lower speed to maintain the proper time relation throughout an operation on the shoe. In the case of a shoe sewing machine, and particularly an outsole stitcher, this time relation is dependent principally on the number of stitches required to sew the complete outsole seam. With a small shoe, the seam may be completed quickly, with a small number of stitches, while with a large shoe, a much greater number of stitches are required with a corresponding increase in the time required to complete the seam. In shoe sewing r machines the length of each stitch may be changed by regulating the feeding movement of the sewing devices. With a short feeding movement, a much larger number of stitches and a longer sewing operation are required for a given shoe than with a longer feeding movement. For these reasons when an extreme feeding movement has been required on a shoe of eXtreme size, considerable difficulty has heretofore been encountered in providing accurate adjustment of 55A the speed ratio between the operating means and required, cause irregularities in the work or an l undesirable series` of shocks inthe gearing of the machine. One reason for such diiculties is that previous attempts to automatically correct the speeds of moving parts of these machines have been based on a principle requiring a predetermined displacement from proper time relation of the parts before a correctional impulse isimparted. With such anarrangement, the displacement is constantly increasing or decreasing between relatively wide limits, and any tendency for the partsv to seek a natural oscillatory period of relative movement or to hunt, is accentuated. and this tendency increases during continued operation of the machine.

An object of the present invention is to proo vide a novel and improved automatic speed control for shoe machines of the automatic type having shoe position changing mechanisms to insure that the positioning movements of the shoe will at all times be automatically made to correspond with the feeding movements imparted by the shoe feeding means throughout the full required range of relative srd changes without imparting undesirable shocks to the drive gearing or tending to produce independent periodic movements of the machine parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved system for automatically regulating the relative movements of two separately actuated machine parts, such as the feeding means and the pattern cam shaft of an automatic shoe machine which will operate more evenly and more. quietly than previous speed control systems heretofore employed.

With these objects in View, the present invention contemplates the provision in an automatic shoe machine of the type referred to having a shoe supporting jack, operating means including shoe feeding devices, mechanisms for otherwise changing the relative positions of the jack and the operating means, a control member operating when the feeding movement of the shoe is out of time with the other positioning movements, of regulating means for arbitrarily actuating the control member during successive feeding movements of the shoe for a length of time varying with the extent by which the positioning movements and the shoe feeding movements are out of time.

While the features of the invention are illustrated and are hereinafter described as being applied to an automatic shoe sewing machine of the type above referred to, certain features are considered of broader scope and may be employed to advantage in other types of machines where two actuated parts are to be maintained closely in predetermined relative positions even though driven by separate driving means. When so driven, connections of some sort are required between the parts for affecting the control member to return the parts to their predetermined proper relation. By providing in addition a regulating means for the control member which causes the control member to act during successive movements of the parts Without regard to any xed amount of displacement, or in one form of the invention, during regular time periods with alternate intervals of inactivity, the tendency of the parts to seek an oscillatory or hunting period of relative movement in which first one is too fast and then the other, is eliminated. It is therefore desirable to provide a driver for the regulating means operating at sufficiently high a speed that the changes in speed of one part during each correctional period or impulse of the control member will have substantially no appreciable effect on the operation of the machine as a whole.

The displacement of the parts may, according to the preferred form of the invention, be arranged to affect the control member by applying a force tending to actuate the control member. The regulating means then acts to counteract the force of the connections and causes the control member to be actuated du'ring such times only as will most effectively relieve the out of time conditions. The driver for the regulating means is preferably rotated uniformly so that the intervals in which the control member is held inactive bear a relationship to each actuated time corresponding to the ratio of the counteracting effect of the regulating means and the actuating force.

As illustrated, the control member actuates electrical contacts, one of which causes return of the actuated parts to proper positions when one of the parts is too fast and another of which causes return of the actuated parts when the other part is too fast. The regulating means is in the form of a spring connected between a periodically vibrating member and the control member to resist actuation thereof at arbitrary intervals.

Another feature of the invention relates to the use, in an automatic shoe machine having means for operating on a shoe, shoe feeding means, a shoe supporting jack, a pattern cam shaft for causing movements of the shoe other than feeding movements to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the shoe is fed, a driver for the operating and feeding means, of separate driving means for the cam shaft and a suitable control member for changing the speed of the separate driving means relatively to the operating means. As a separate driving means for the cam shaft, a variable speed electric motor may be employed, controlled directly by the control member so that the mechanical limitations of the usual variable speed gearing are avoided.

The features of the invention above referred to, and other novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one specific embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the principal parts of a machine embodying the features of the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the base of the machine; Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation looking from the right and showing portions of the driving mechanism; Fig. 4 is a detail View on an enlarged scale of certain connected parts of the machine broken away and shown in proper composite relation; Fig. 5 is a sectional View similarly broken away, of connected parts of the machine taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a similar sectional view of portions of the control connections taken along the line 6 5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a plan view on a still further enlarged scale of a part of the control mechanism; Fig. 8 is a detail view, shown partly in section, of another part of the synchronizing mechanism; Fig. 9 is a view in elevation and partly.7 in section as viewed along the line 9 9 of Fig. '7; Fig. 10 is another sectional View of the same mechanism as viewed along the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 7; Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line II II of Fig. 5; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the mechanism along the line I2 I2 of Fig. 5; Fig. 13 is a sectional plan view of the connections shown in Fig. 6 as viewed along the line I3 I3; Fig. 14 is a sectional view of parts of the control mechanism taken along the line I4 I4 of Fig. 8; Fig. l5 is another sectional plan View along the line I5 I5 of Fig. 6; Fig. 16 is a sectional detail view of certain of the parts of Fig. 15 shown in elevation; and Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of the electrical connections in the machine.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is an automatic outsole shoe sewing machine having a main base 2 arranged to carry frames 4 and 6 for the sewing and power drive mechanisms, re-

spectively. The power drive frame 6 supports a frame 8 carrying a starting mechanism and a driving motor I0 above it. The motor I0 drives a vertical shaft I2 to operate the constantly rotating driver, indicated at I4. The driver is fast on a vertical shaft I6 and is formed at its lower portion with a clutching surface to engage a similarly shaped surface on a driven clutch member I8 yieldingly urged towards the driver I 4. The driven clutch member is held from engagement with the rotating driver by a lock bolt 20, (see Fig. 3) and the lock bolt is released to start the machine by the mechanism contained in the frame 8 which is controlled by a handle 22 projecting from said frame. The driven clutch member I 8 is connected by helical gears 24 to a main sewing shaft 26 for actuating lock stitch sewing mechanism comprising a shuttle 28, a presser foot 30, a feed slide 32 and other stitch forming and work feeding members which are substantially the same as those illustrated and described in the application for U. S. patent of O. R. Haas, Serial No. 600,016, filed March 19, 1932. At the end of the sewing operation or in case of a mis-stitch, the driven clutch member I8 is disengaged from the main driver I4, as will be described hereinafter, tobring the sewing mechanismto rest in:

such. a positionl as to permit the shoe, indicated at 3'4, to be readily removed.

The work feeding devices of the machine comprise the feed slide 321 together with thev stitch forming devices' which are supported thereon. These work feeding devices operate to impart a continuous linear feeding movement to thel shoe outsole'. formingidevices may be changed by properly manipulating a feed regulating device 35, asA de-v scribed more particularly in the Haas application i referred to.

To support the shoe, a jack 36'is provided, suitablyy mounted within the main frame 2 of` the` machine to permit the jack to be giventhe proper' tippingand turning movementsas the shoe is fed by the feeding: devices. These movements are imparted to the jack by mechanism comprising cams on a pattern cam shaft 38, followers 48 actuated by the cams and suitable connections between the cam followers and the jack.

The connections between the cam followers 4!! andthe jack include adjustable means for actuating a feed control arm 42 atfthe same rate of speedy as thatat which the shoe is fed. The con-- trol arm connections comprise a bellV crank 44V (Figs. 2 and 3) on which is mountedV one of the cam followers 48. The feed arm 42 is pivoted to the main frame 2 of the machine at 46 and is connected to the cam operated lever 44 by links 48 and'- 50`. The link 48 is-pivotally connected to the-feed arm 42v and to one end of the link 5U by a. pivot 52:', thev other end of' the link 58 being pivotally' connected to an arm of the bell crank 44. The free endofthe feed arm 42 is connected to the toe supporting portion of the jack 36' by a link 53.

To permit movement ofthe feed arm 42 to be changed for different sizes of shoes Without changing the shape ofthe camon the pattern cam shaft which actuatesV the bell crankl 44', the

pivot 52 is connected by a link 56 to. an arm 58 mounted on a fixed shaft Gil, so that before sewing is begun, the arm 42 may be shifted about itspivot' 45, causing the arm 58` to rotate about the shaft 60'.

Before the machine is started in operation, the position of the feed arm 42 is shifted as the` shoe is being moved toy proper position relative to the stitch forming devices. The arm 5'8 is lookedl in position during sewing sothat the arm 42 may not move thereafter except as actuated from the bell crank 44; To lock the arm 58; aclamping device 82' is provided which is actuated by alink 64? to grip a rod' 68 pivotally connected at one end to" the end of the arm 58. These and other'connections between the pattern cam shaft andv thev jack are similar and operate in substantially the same manner as in the machine off applicants prior patents above noted to which reference may be had for a more exact and complete description.

The machine is brought to-rest by driving and stopping mechanisms comprising the lock bolt 20 (see Fig. 3) mounted in a carrier 68 and arranged tofengage a cam slot 'lll' in a sleeve portion of the driven clutch member I8; The carrier 68 is in the form of a bell-crank, one arm of which cooperates with a spring pressed latch 'l2 tohold the carrier in fixed position when the machine is stopped. To operate the driving and stopping 75l mechanism upon the completion of' a seam, shaft 38'1 carries a cam block '|4isee Fig. 4) arranged to;- oscillate a lever T6 fulcrumed on. a vertical shaft 181 and through connections including a link: 80l pivotall-yf connected to lever 16, the latch 12. is` permitted to yieldingly engage the carrier 68,. thus causing the lock bolt to-be held stationary' an-d the driven clutch member to be disengaged from themain driver I4, asimore fully explained: in. the Haasv application.

The pattern. cam shaft in the machines de'- scribed. inthe inventors patents and in they Haas application is` rotated by a ldriving gear traim between the driven clutch member I8 and the` cam shaft 38; When the cam shaftv is not in', proper position, during sewing, relative to the feedingposition of the shoe, the rotary speed of' the camshaftis increased or decreased' by abrupt-- ly changing the" effective speed ratio of driving gears. between the clutch'y member I8 and the?. pattern: cam. shaft. If the. range of speed ratiosr ismade sufhcientlygreat when using an abrupt. shift to automatically regulate the speed, the steps between relative speed changes may be so greatA as to cause heavy shocks in the driving" gear trainV and other undesirable effects on the machine. The rangeY of possible speed change, therefore, where the speed ratio is abruptly changed is not sufficient to permit sewing of alli shoe. sizes without supplementary manual ad'-r j'ustments or without changing' cams on` the pat-y tern cam shaft'. Also, if the changes of relative speedsy between the cam shaft 38 and the clutchv member I8 are abrupt and of great difference, improper operation of the sewingV machine mayv take. placeV each time the speed ratio is changed.

To control the machines of the patents re,-` ferred to when the shoe, during sewing, becomes displaced in the direction of feed relativelytol the proper position of thev cam shaft, a. member is actuated to return the positions of the shoe and the camy shaft to their proper relations. The. control member is arranged to be actuated by av relative movement between the feed control arm 42' and the link 53 whichis connected to the jack; Thecontrol member is actuated only when a predetermined minimum displacement occurs, and` due to unavoidable lost motion and time lag in response to actuation of the control member, considerable displacementY or fluctuation in relative` speeds` may' occur before the partsl are returned to their proper relations.

In the machine embodying the present invention the control member, indicated at 82,. (see Fig. 7l) is actuatedy irrespective of extent of relative displacement between the feeding position of the shoe and the position of the cam shaft.. The control member, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, is operated upon by a regulating device at recurring intervals to cause it to be actuated and to change the relative speeds of rtheV controlled parts only during such short periods of time that extremely small amounts of. relative displacement or change in relative speeds of theY controlled' parts will occur in any onev period.

To causethe control member 82 to provide effective control when actuated during short periods of time, it is held alternately in actuated and inactive positions during each period, and the time when the control member is actuated in each periodk bears a relation to the inactive time 'j of feed from the position of the cam shaft causes either of two springs 84 to apply force in one direction to the control member 82 proportional in intensity to the extent of the displacement. The displacement force of the springs 84 is, in part, resisted by a periodically varying force in the other direction imparted by a spring 86 in the regulating device, the resultant of the spring forces caused by displacement and by the regulating device acting to cause a periodic correcting impulse to be imparted to the cam shaft for a length of time corresponding to the intensity of the force produced by relative displacement in feeding position of the shoe during each period.

To tension springs 84 whenever the feeding position of the shoe is relatively displaced from the position of the cam shaft, the link 53 is pivotally connected to one arm of a horizontally arranged lever 88 secured to the lower end of a short vertical shaft 90 rotatable in a bearing formed at the end of the control arm 42. To the upper end of the shaft 90 is fixed a lever 92 acting between two set screws 94 and 96 carried by a pair of L-shaped levers 98 and |00, respectively, to which the springs 84 are connected. The levers 98 and |00 are fulcrumed on vertical pivots |02 and |04, supported at their upper ends in a block |06 and at their lower ends in the control arm 42. The L-shaped levers 98 and |00 pass through spaced slots in the block |06 and the block is rigidly secured to the feed arm by screws |08. When relative movement occurs between the feed arm 42 and the link 53, the lever 88 rocks the shaft 90 in its bearing and causes the lever 92 to engage either set screw 94 or 96, rocking the corresponding L-shaped lever and tensioning the corresponding spring 84 proportionately to the displacement.

To resist the force of the springs 84, the control member 82 acts itself as a lever having a stud screw |0 passing loosely through its central portion and into threaded iengagement with an arm ||2 pivotally mounted at ||4 to the feed control arm, and the control member 82 is urged towards inactive position by the regulating spring 86 connected between the fulcrum screw ||0 of the control member and an arm ||6 rotatably mounted on a stud ||8. The hub of the arm ||6 extends upwardly and is surrounded by the hub of an arm |20 clamped in fixed angular relation to the arm ||6 by a clamping screw |22. The arm |20 is vibrated continuously as the shoe is being operated upon, by a rotary cam |24 secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft |26. The free end of the arm |20 is provided with a follower |28 engaging the cam |24, and the cam is of such shape that during its rotation the tensioning stress applied to prevent rocking the control member increases uniformly until a predetermined maximum is reached. Thereafter, the tension of spring 86 is reduced to a minimum and again uniformly increased. The increase and decrease of tension on the spring 86 takes place during successive feeding movements of the shoe periodically and at such a rate that each correctional impulse will produce but an extremely slight relative change of speed between the feeding movement of the shoe and the speed of the cam shaft, so as not to interfere with the operation of the sewing devices. With a sewing machine operating at 560 or 600 R. P. M. periodic increases of spring tension at the rate of two or three a second has been found effective.

The control member acts to change the relative speeds of the sewing machine and the pattern cam shaft 38 by disengaging electrical contacts |30 and |32 on the control lever 82 from stationary contacts |34 and |36. Electrical circuits connected to the contacts are so arranged that when both movable contacts or neither engage their respective stationary contacts, no change in speed of the cam shaft will take place, so that angular rocking movement of the control member is necessary to actuate it. When the control member 82 is actuated by rocking it about its fulcrum ||0, one of the movable contacts is periodically disengaged from the corresponding stationary contact during such a time in each period as the force of spring 86 is less than that of the tensioned spring 84. When this occurs, the speed of the cam shaft is changed. The force of the tensioned spring 84 being a measure of the displacement, the times in which the control member is held actuated and inactive in each period will bear a relation corresponding to the relative displacement of the parts controlled.

The relative change of speed is effected by controlling the speed of a three-phase induction motor, indicated at |38 mounted at the side of the machine. This motor is separate from the main driver |4 of the machine and acts only to change the position of the cam shaft. As illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 17, the feeding movement of the shoe is indicated as being too fast with relation to the speed of the cam shaft 38 and the lever 92 is shown engaging set screw 94 to rock lever 98 and apply a tension on one only of the springs 84, disengaging contact |32 from stationary contact |36. This movement opens the circuit to a control magnet |40 and the armature |42 thereof is released, permitting contacts |44 to become engaged. Engaging the contacts |44 causes the rotor of the motor |38 to revolve in the direction of the arrow. A similar magnet |46 having an armature |48 controlling contacts |50 is provided for causing the motor to rotate in the opposite direction.

The motor is supplied with current from threephase mains |52 which also energize a transformer |54 grounded at |56 for supplying energy to the magnets |40 and |46. To prevent the contacts which control rotation of the motor in opposite directions from becoming engaged at the same time, two centrally pivoted insulated levers |58 are each arranged with their ends engaging one movable contact |44 and one movable contact The pattern cam shaft 38 is rotated through a system of gearing including a differential between the gear 24 on the driven clutch member I8 and a gear |59 on the pattern cam shaft 38. The gear train comprises a gear |60 meshing with the gear 24, a shaft |62 to the upper end of which the gear 60 is secured, a pinion |64 at the lower end of the shaft meshing with a set of idlers |66 rotatable on studs |68, a spider |10 carrying studs |68 rotatable on the shaft |62, a gear |12 formed at the upper end of a hollow shaft |13 connected through a tongue and slot connection with the hub of the spider |10, a gear |14 meshing with the gear |12, a gear |16 rotatable with the gear |14 and arranged to mesh with a gear |18, a pinion secured to the gear |18 to mesh with a gear |82, a series of gears |84 fixed to a shaft |86 to which the gear |82 is connected meshing with the gear |59 at the upper end of the cam shaft 38.

The correcting impulses produced by the con-v trol member 82 are imparted to the cam shaft 38 by the motor |38 acting through the system f differential gears comprising the pinion |64, idlers |66, a hollow .gear member |88 rotatable about the lower end of the shaft |62 and also formed with a bearing on the hub of the spider |10. The hollow gear is formed with internal gear teeth |90 which engage the idlers |66 and with external bevel gear teeth |92 which mesh with a bevel lgear |94.' The gear |94 is` secured tothe inner end of a shaft |96 the outer end of which carries agear |98. The gear |98 is driven by means of a gear 200 on the motor shaft engaging the gear |98.

'The vertical shaft |62, for convenience in .assembling the machine, is formed in two parts which are connected together by means of a disconnectible clutch, best shown in Figs. 5 and 12. The clutch consists of a clutch block 202 secured to the vupper end of the lower portion of shaft |62 land a block 204 connected with the upper portion of the shaft |62. .The block 204 is-'slotted to slidingly receive .a tongue 206 formed ona clutch member I208 yieldingly forced against the block 202 by means of springs V2 |0. The lower portion of -the clutch member 208 carries aipair of Vertical pins -2|2 engaging diametrically opposite holes in Vthe upper 'part Yof the block 202 so as tolp-rovide positive driving means Vin both directions between the Iportions of the shaft |62.

To support the shafts |62 .and :|96 in :proper relation with the .gears |92 'and |94 in engagement, `the shaft 1| 96 rotates .in bearings formed at the ends-of a horizontal sleeve 2|4, one end of which is secured to the-main uframe 2 of the machine and the other end of which is engaged by an angular bracket 2|6 having a vertical bearing bushing 2|8 surrounding the hub of the spider |10. `AThe bearing 2Y|8 ris formed with a flange at its lower-end to vengage the upper surface of the hollow gear |88, separable parts of which are secured ltogether by means of bolts 220. The spider ybears against the upper surface of. the pinion |64 which is secured to lthe shaft |62. The hollow gear |88, in turn,rests on the spider and thebearing 2 |'8 being supported by the ring gear, acts to Vprevent downward movement of the angular bracket 2 |76.

'Ihe ratio of the driving gears between 'the driven clutch member |8 and the pattern cam shaft 38 is such as to produce a complete rotation of the cam shaft when a shoe of the average size, that is, approximately anumber '1, is being sewed with a stitch of the average length, or approximately eight stitches to the inch. If the position of the feed adjustment 35 or the size of a shoe is changed, the ratio of thedriving gears between the clutch member I8 and the pattern cam shaft is no longer-suitable to keep the rotation of the cam shaft and the feeding movement of the shoe in the proper time relation.

As soon as a relative change in feed of the shoe effects the control member 82, the motor |38 will be Ystarted in operation to correct the position of the cam shaft accordingly. The oscillations of the arm I |6 in the regulating device affecting the control 'member 82, act Vat such a rapid rate that before the motor |38 has had a chance to come to rest, from one correctional impulse, another is imparted to it so that it continues to rotate slowly at a speed determined by the time during which the control member 82 is held in actuated position with one of the contacts |30 or |32 held separated from the corresponding contact |34 or |36.

To drive the regulator shaft |26 which is mounted in a suitable bearing in the feed control arm 42, the lower end of the shaft carries agear 222 (Figs. 7, 8 and 14) meshing with Aa worm 224 fixed to ahorizontalishaft 226 extending in paralllelrelation to thefeed control arm 42. 'The forward end of the shaft 226 is rotatably supported in a bearing Yblock 228 Vpivotally connected by a screw 230 .to an arm 232 rotatable about a stud screw 234 threaded into a boss 236 Yprojecting downwardly from the under-surface of the feed arm 42. The rearward end of. the shaft 226 is rotatably supported in a bearing block 238 (see Figs. 9 and 15) ,pivotally mounted between the forked ends of a bell crank lever 240 having a fulcrum 242 at the inner end of the feed control arm. The shaft 226 is rotated by a constant speed motor 244 mounted on the feed arm and having a driving pinion 246 meshing with a gear `248 secured to the inner end of shaft 226.

In order to prevent rotation of the correcting motor v|38 when the machine is brought to rest and the size adjustable link connections between the cam shaft and the feed control arm are unlocked at the end of the operation on a shoe, means are provided for locking the lever 88 and the control member 82 against rocking movement, and the contacts |34 and |36 are short circuited so that regardless of the position of the control member 82, the circuits to the motor |38 cannot become energized. When the pattern cam shaft has completed its rotation, the block 14 on'the gear |59 engages the end of an arm 250 (see Fig. 6) secured to the shaft 18 which forms the fulcrum for the lever 16. To the upper end of the shaft 18 is fixed an arm 252 connected to one arm -of the bell crank lever 240 by a link 254. The arm of the lever 240 connected to the link 254 is so bent that the pivot 256 for joining the link and the arm lies substantially concentric with the pivot 46 of the feed control arm. Rocking the arm 250 on the shaft 18 causes the lever 240 toshift the shaft 226 lengthwise. The worm 224 at the forward end of the shaft presses against the bearing block 228 and causes the arm 232 to move about the stud screw 234 (Fig. 8). The hub of the arm 232 is surrounded by the hub of a locking arm 258 provided with a detent which engages a notch 260 in the lever 88 whenever the shaft 226 is moved lengthwise by engagement of the block 14 with the arm 250. To preventbreakage, in case the detent of. the arm 258 does not engage the notch 260, a coiled spring 262 is compressed between the ends of passages formed in the arm 232 and the arm 258, respectively. The spring 262 is normally held under compression by a projection 264 which engages the side of the lever 258.

To short circuit the stationary control contacts |34 and |36 at the end of a seam, the lower ends of the contacts extending downwardly through insulating Ybushings 265 carried by the feed control arm 42 are bridged by a switch member 266 pivotally mounted on a bell-crank lever 261. The lever 261'is fulcrumed on a bolt 268 supported by the 'feed arm. Switch member 266 is operated simultaneously with the locking arm 258 by a link 269 pivotally connected to a downwardly extending arm of lever 261 and a lug 210 (see Fig. l0) extending from the bearing block 228.

Locking arm 258 is disengaged from lever 88 and switch member 266 from contacts |34 and |36 by reverse movement of shaft 226, the bearing block 228 and shaft being held against relative movement by a screw 21|. The bearing 238 at the other end of the shaft is similarly held by a screw 212 (see Fig. To reverse the movement of the shaft 226, vthe lever 250 is returned to its original position after the machine is restarted by a tension spring 213 (see Figs. 4 and 6) stretched between the lever and a stationary part.

In the machine of the Haas application above referred to, means is provided to bring the machine to rest at any time during the operation of the shoe at which the thread becomes slack or broken. As more completely described in the Haas application, slack thread is detected in the present machine by completing a circuit whenever the auxiliary take-up of the machine is at the limit of its thread retracting movement while a stitch is being set. In Figure 17, the main take-up is diagrammatioally indicated at 214 and the auxiliary take-up at 215. The main take-up is secured to a shaft operating a pair of segmental electrical contacts 216 against which a pair of brushes 211 may bear. The auxiliary take-up carries a spring contact 218 which engages the segmental contacts 216 to complete the circuit between them whenever slack thread occurs. This completes the connections from the ground |56 of transformer |54 through a ground 219 between brushes 211, and energizes a relay 28D. The relay 280 completes the circuit between its contacts 282 energizing a tripping solenoid 284, the armature of which is connected to a hook member 286 for actuating a flipper member 288 cooperating with the stop mechanism of the machine to bring the machine to rest. When the machine is stopped, in this manner, the lever 88 is not locked by the detent of the locking member 258 so that the control member may be actuated in either direction, even though the shoe is disengaged from the sewing mechanism. The size adjustable connections between cam shaft 3B and feed control lever 42 are not unlocked when the machine is stopped by broken thread, so that if the shoe is moved manually in the line of feed either in or against the direction of feed, the control member 82 will be actuated accordingly and the motor |38 will rotate the pattern cam shaft to the proper position. The shoe may thus be presented properly to the sewing devices and the machine restarted at the end of the last properly formed stitch without further adjustment.

To provide the proper initial tension to the springs 84 which actuate the control member so that when the follower |28 engages the portion of smallest radius on the cam |24, all of the contacts actuated by the control member will be engaged, adjusting screws 298 and 292 are carried by the L-shaped levers 98 and |80, respectively. The adjusting screws 298 and 292 engage the hub of the lever 92 and hold the levers 98 and |90 at the desired positions. To limit the angular movement of the lever 92, additional set screws 294 and 296 extend through lugs carried by the control arm 42 into close proximity to a projection 298 on the lever 92. Further adjustment of the operation of the control member is afforded by regulating the set screws 94 and 96 which change the amount of rotary movement permitted to the lever 92 before actuating the L-shaped levers, The control member after proper adjustments are made is protected by a suitable cover 299 secured to the control arm 42. As a still further means of securing accurate control by the control member, the motor |38 isprovided with a uniform friction load to prevent the momentum of the rotating parts from causing too great a change in the speed of the cam shaft. The friction load on the motor is effected by a brake member 300 of ordinary construction acting directly on the motor shaft.

The nature and scope of the present invention having been indicated, and an embodiment of the several features of the invention having been specifically described, what is claimed is:

1. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections between the position changing mechanism and the jack for actuating the control member in a manner to return the feeding means and the position-changing mechanism to the proper speeds when the feeding movement of the shoe is out of time with positioning movements imparted by the position changing mechanism, and regulating means cooperating with said connections for actuating the control member at recurring intervals for a length of time in each interval varying with the extent by which the feeding movement and the positioning movement are relatively out of time.

2. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections between the position changing mechanism and the jack for actuating the control member in a manner to return the feeding means and the position changing mechanism to the proper speeds when the feeding movement of the shoe is out of time with positioning movements imparted by the position changing mechanism, regulating means cooperating with said connections for actuating the control member for a variable length of time, and driving means for the regulating means for causing the regulating means to hold the control member in actuated and inactive positions alternately during recurring intervals, in each of which the time actuated bears a relationship to the time held inactive corresponding to the extent by which the feeding movement and the positioning movement are relatively out of time.

3. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections between the position changing mechanism and the jack for exerting a force on said member when the feeding movement of the shoe does not relatively correspond With positioning movements imparted by the position changing mechanism, and regulating means cooperating with said connections for actuating the control member at recurring intervals for a length of time varying with the intensity of said force during each interval.

4. A shoe machine having in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections between the position changing mechanism and the jack actuated by displacement of the feeding position of the shoe from the corresponding proper relative positions of the jack and the operating means to exert a force on said member, and regulating means cooperating with said connections for subjecting the control member to1 another force to actuate it during successive periods of time and at a time in each period varying with the feeding displacement during that period.

5. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections between the position changing mechanism and the jack actuated by displacement of the feeding position of the shoe from the corresponding prop-- er relative position of the jack and the operating means to exert a force on said member, regulating means cooperating with said connections for subjecting the control member to another forceto actuate it during successive periods of time, and driving means for the regulating means for causing the time in each period in which the control member is held inactive to bear a relationship to each actuated time corresponding to the ratio of the respective forces during that period.

6. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative position of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections between the position changing mechanism and the jack including a spring for exerting a force on said member when the feeding movement of the shoe does not correspond with positioning movements imparted by the position changing mechanism, and regulating means having a second spring connected to said control member for opposing the force of the rst mentioned spring to resist actuation of the control member during each of a series of recurring intervals and to prevent actuation of the control member for a length of time during each interval varying with the force intensity of said first spring.

7. A shoe machine having, Vin combination, means for operating upon a shoe, means for feeding the shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, a rotating pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated by the-cam shaft for changing the relative positions -of .the shoe and the operating means to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the feeding means and cam shaft, and means for actuating said control member during recurring periods of equal time when the pattern cam shaft is displaced from the proper rotary position relative to the feeding position of the shoe, to cause a correcting impulse to be imparted to said cam shaft corresponding to the extent of displacement during each period.

8. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a sho-e, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, a rotating pattern cam shaft Vfor changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to. the operating means as the point of o-peration is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the feeding means and cam shaft, and means for actuating the control member to impart periodic correctional impulses to said cam shaft varying in duration with the extent to which the feeding movement of the shoe and the rotation of the cam shaft are relatively out of time.

9. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon-a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, a rotating pattern cam shaft, mechanism actuated by the cam shaft for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for imparting correctional im-I pulses to said driving means, and regulating means cooperating with the control member for causing said impulses to occur alternately `with intervals of inactivity which bear a relationship to the duration of the respective impulse corresponding to the extent by which the feeding movement of the shoe and the rotation of the cam shaft are relatively out of time.

l0. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, means for feeding the shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, a rotary pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated by the cam shaft for changing the relative positions of the jack and the operating means to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a rotary regulating cam having a portion of gradually changing radius, a contro member actuated jointly by the pattern cam shaft and the timing cam to impart correctional impulses to the cam shaft when the feeding movement of the shoe is out of time with the positioning movements imparted by the position changing mechanism, and a driving shaft for actuating the timing cam with sufcient rapidity tol prevent the correctional impulses' from disturbing proper operation of the operating means on the shoe.

11. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, means for changing the rate of shoe feeding movement, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly tothe operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections between the jack and the position changing mechanism for exerting a force on said member when the feeding movement of the shoe is out of time with positioning movements imparted by the position changing mechanism, regulating means cooperating with said connections for actuating the control member at recurring intervals for a length of time varying with the extent by which the feeding movement and the positioning movements are out of time, and driving means for actuating the regulating means with sufficient rapidity to reduce each relative speed change between the position changing mechanism and the feeding means to an amount which will not disturb proper operation of the operating means for any adjustment of the feeding means.

12. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, means for changing the rate of shoe feeding movement, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections adjustable to correspond with different sizes of shoes between the jack and the position changing mechanism for exerting a force on said member when the feeding movement of the shoe is out of time with positioning movements imparted by the position changing mechanism, regulating means cooperating with said connections for actuating the control member at recurring intervals for a length of time varying with the extent by which the feeding movement and the positioning movement are out of time, and driving means for actuating the regulating means with sufficient rapidity to reduce each relative speed change between the position changing mechanism and the feeding means to an amount which will not disturb proper operation of the operatinfr means for any adjustment of the feeding means and any size of shoe.

13. A shoe machine having, in combination, a main driver for the machine, means for operating upon a shoe, means for feeding the shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated by the cam shaft for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, means separate from the main driver for relatively changing the positions of the shoe in the line of feed and of the cam shaft, a control member for said separate means. connections between the jack and the cam shaft, certain parts of which are arranged for limited relative movement to actuate the control member when the feeding position of the shoe is displaced from the corresponding proper relative positions of the jack and the operating means, and means for preventing relative change in position of the shoe in the line of feed and of the cam shaft when the machine is brought to rest.

14. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, means for feeding the shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated by the cam shaft for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the feeding means and the cam shaft, connections adjustable for different sizes of shoes between the jack and the cam shaft including parts arranged for limited relative movement to actuate the control member when the feeding position of the shoe is displaced from the corresponding proper relative positions of the jack and the operating means, devices for locking the adjustment of said connections during operation of the machine, and means for locking said parts of the Connections against relative movement to prevent actuation of the control member when the machine is brought to rest.

15. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, means for feeding the shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated by the cam shaft for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the feeding means and the cam shaft, connections between the jack and the cam shaft including parts .arranged for limited relative movement to actuate the control member when the feeding position of the shoe is displaced from the corresponding proper relative positions of the jack and the operating means, motion adjustable linkage actuated in moving the shoe on the jack to starting position in the machine for changing in accordance with the Size of a shoe the operation of the connections, devices for locking said adjustable linkage during operation of the machine, and means for locking said parts of the control actuating connection against relative movement to prevent misadjustment of the motion adjusting linkage when the locking devices therefor are unlocked.

16. In a system for regulating the movements of two actuated parts, a control member for re1- atively changing the speeds of the parts, connections actuated by displacement of the parts from predetermined relative positions for exerting a force on said member corresponding in intensity to the extent of displacement, and regulating means cooperating with said connections for causing said force to actuate the control member periodically and for a length of time in each period varying with the extent of said displacement.

17. In ,a system for regulating the movements of two actuated parts, a control member for re1- atively changing the speeds of said parts, convnections actuated by displacement of the parts -from predetermined relative positions for exerting a force on said member corresponding in intensity to the extent of displacement, and regulating means for exerting .a periodically Varying force on said member opposing the force exerted by said connections for a time during each period varying with variations in the force of said connections.

18. In a system for regulating the movements of two actuated parts, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of said parts, a regulating springv connected to said member tending to hold the member in inactive position, an actuating spring connected to said member tending to overcome the force of the regulating spring, connections for stressing the actuating spring whenever the parts are displaced from predetermined relative positions, and vibrating means for periodically stressing the regulating spring to cause said control member to be held in actuated position for a length of time in each period Varying with the extent by which the parts are relatively displaced.

19. Ina system for regulating the movements of two actuated parts, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of said parts, a regulating spring connected to said member tending to hold the member in inactive position, an actuating spring connected to said member tending to overcome the force of the regulating spring, connections for stressing the actuating spring vwhenever the parts are displaced from predetermined relative positions, a lever connected to the regulating spring, and-.a continuously rotating cam for actuating the lever periodically to cause the control member to be held alternately in inactive and in actuated positions the relative times of which bear a relationship corresponding to the extent by which the parts are relatively displaced.

20. In a system for regulating the movements of two actuated parts, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the parts, electrical contacts operated by the control member, mechanism for increasing the speed of one part relatively to that of the other when a circuit is completed through one only of the contacts .and for decreasing the speed of said one part relatively to that of the other when a circuit is completed through the other only of said contacts, a regulating spring connected to said member in a position to prevent increasing or decreasing the speed of said parts, actuating springs .arranged when stressed to overcome the force of the regulating spring and change the position of the control member, connections between the parts for stressing one of the springs when the parts are displaced from predetermined relative positions, and vibrating means for periodically stressing the regulating spring to cause .a circuit to be completed through one only of the contacts Ifor a length of time in each period varying with the extent by which the parts are relatively displaced.

21. In a system for regulating the movements of two actuated parts, a control lever, a fulcrum for said lever, electrical contacts actuated by angular movement of the control lever in either direction about the fulcrum, mechanism for increasing the speed of one part relatively to that of the other when a circuit is completed through one only of the contacts and for decreasing the speed of said one part relatively to that of the other when a circuit is completed through another only of said contacts, a regulating spring connected tothe fulcrum of the control lever tending to prevent actuation of the contacts, actuating springs connected to the control lever at either side of the fulcrum and arranged to overcome the force of the regulating spring, connections between the parts for stressing one of the actuating springs when the parts are displaced from predetermined relative positions to impart angular movement to the control lever, and vibrating means for periodically stressing the regulating spring to cause a circuit to be completed through one only of the contacts for a length of time in each period varying with the extent by which the parts are relatively displaced.

22. In a system for regulating the movements of two actuated parts, a control lever, a fulcrum for said lever, stationary electrical contacts, movable contacts actuated by the control lever, mechanism for increasing the speed of one part relativelyv to that of the other when one of the movable contacts is disengaged from a corresponding stationary contact and for decreasing the speed of said one part relatively to that of the other when the other of said contacts is disengaged from a corresponding stationary contact, a regulating spring connected to the fulcrum of the control lever tending to bring both movable contacts into engagement with their respective stationary contacts, actuating springs connected to the control lever at either side of the fulcrum and arranged to overcome the force of the regulating spring, connections between the parts for stressing one of the actuating springs when the parts are displaced from predetermined relative positions to disengage one of the movable contacts from a stationary contact, and vibrating means for periodically stressing the regulating spring to cause said disengaged contact to remain disengaged from the corresponding stationary contact Vfor a length o-f time in each period varying with the extent by which the parts are relatively displaced.

23. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding relatively the shoe and the operating means to transfer the point of operation along the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred along the shoe by the feeding means, a driver for the operating and feeding means, driving means separate from the operating means driver for actuating the position changing mechanism, and a control member actuated by displacement of the position changing mechanism from predetermined relation with the feeding position of the shoe for changing the speed of the separate driving means relatively to: the speed of the driver for the operating means.

24. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding relatively the shoe and the operating means to transfer the point of operation along the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred along the shoe by the feeding means, a driver for the operating and feeding means, an electric motor separate from the operating means driver for actuating the position changing mechanism, and control contacts for said motor actuated by displacement of the position changing mechanism from predetermined relation with the feeding position of the shoe for changing the speed of the separate electric motor relatively to the speed of the driver for the operating and feeding means.

25. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding relatively the shoe and the operating means to transfer the point of operation along the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated by the cam shaft for changing the relative positions of the operating mea-ns and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred along the shoe by the feeding means, a driver for the operating and feeding means, a driving gear train including a set of diierential gears connecting the operating means and the cam shaft, an electric motor separate from the operating means driver connected to the differential gears to rotate the cam shaft at a different speed than that at which it is rotated by the gear train, and control contacts for said motor actuated by displacement of the feeding position of the shoe with relation to the position of the cam shaft.

26, A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding relatively the shoe and the operating means to transfer the point of operation along the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated by the cam shaft for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred along the shoe by the feeding means, a driver for the operating and feeding means, a driving gear train including a set of differential gears connecting the operating means and the cam shaft, an electric motor separate from the operating means driver connected to the differential gears to rotate the cam shaft at a different speed than that by which it is rotated by the gear train, and control contacts for said motor actuated by displacement of the feeding position of the shoe with relation to the position of the cam shaft to cause the motor to be rotated in either forward or reverse directions.

27. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating upon a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for imparting a feeding movement to the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe by the feeding means, a control member for relatively changing the speeds of the position changing mechanism and the feeding means, connections between the position changing mechanism and the jack for actuating the control member in a manner to return the feeding means and the position changing mechanism to the proper speeds when the feeding movement of the shoe is out of time with positioning movements imparted by the position changing mechanism, regulating means cooperating with said connections for actuating the control member at recurring intervals for a length of time varying with the extent by which the feeding movement and the positioning movement are relatively out of time, and driving means for causing the regulating means to actuate the control member at such a rate of speed that the time during which the control member is actuated in each interval cannot produce such a. change of speed between the feeding and positioning movements as to interfere with the operation of the operating means.

LAURENCE E. TOPHAM. 

